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There are many bikes around town, (and some
brave souls who use them) most seem to be like this, a 'Phoenix'. |
Then, one gets a glimpse of what is clearly a
different class of architecture as you approach the Omayad Mosque right in
the heart of old Damascus.
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People sit and chat and smoke as they have
done for centuries. |
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Different styles of architecture contrast
with each other. For many millennia, Syria has been invaded from Turkey,
Rome and Greece from the north and Egypt from the south. |
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The sky really was this blue |
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Within the vast courtyard of the Mosque,
people walk, talk or just sit and watch. |
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The green light, which is always seen illuminating
Mosques at night, is used because it is the colour of fertility and life. |
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The Mosque is reputed to contain the severed
head of John the Baptist and at one time was used for dual prayers -
Muslim in one half and Christian the other. |
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Once again, the use of primary colours in the
windows. Maybe that is where the station designer got his inspiration. |
Unfortunately, there is some camera shake
on this picture, which is a shame, because I like the light and
shade effect. |
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I emerge into bright, cold sunshine to
find a stall selling freshly squeezed orange juice. |
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The hairdressers shop is empty: Ali Barber
gone for a (Liptons) tea? |
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This is the 'Souk' place to find many
bargains: but not today; it's Friday, the Muslim Holy day. |
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Tiny little well stocked shops vie for
custom. |
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The sign writer wasn't using
spell check, here. |
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The meaning is clear, possibly the order
of (English) words could have been different. |
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At this distance, the river looks pleasant
enough, but it appears to be badly polluted, and just round the corner,
there is a huge mass of rubbish on its banks. |
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In another direction, I found some splendid
domestic lighting shops. The chandeliers on sale just had to be seen to be
believed. |
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On a separate occasion, I was taken to a
busy little glass blowing workshop. This man was actually making one to
order for a lady who sat alongside me with an original vase that she
wanted copying. |
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I chose to sit right behind him for the
photo, but wasn't so sure of the wisdom of that when he spun tube and red
hot glass round in a vertical circle not too far from my face! |
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His colleague was sitting alongside with an
assistant holding a leather pad to enable the red hot glass to be shaped. |
